If this weekend wasn’t already going to be enormous with five Group 1s on Golden Slipper Day and ballot-free entry into the Caulfield Cup going on the line at Neds Mornington Cup Day, we’ll also be treated to serious racing at The Valley on Friday night!
William Reid Stakes Night has drawn some of the country’s best stables and gallopers, and the Group 1 feature race looms as one of the strongest sprints of the season.
You can find a preview of all eight races and my 2021 William Reid Stakes Night tips below.
Not the easiest way to begin the evening from a betting perspective and at publish, we’re looking at $5 the field, the favourite is on debut.
In saying that, I thought that He’s Xceptional looked good when resuming and he’ll take plenty of improvement into this race.
He’s Xceptional finished tenth, beaten five lengths in the Inglis 2YO race here on debut in October, but made light work of his rivals at Cranbourne a couple of weeks ago.
This is harder, but we can have an each-way play at around the $10 mark.
Muntaseera will take good improvement into her second campaign start and this looks a perfect race for her.
The I Am Invincible filly returned plenty of pleasing efforts during her spring prep and finished second behind Swats That in the Thoroughbred Club Stakes before ending her campaign fifth in the Coolmore.
There was a lot to like about her resuming effort for fourth behind Fabergino at Flemington and she is primed to win on Friday night.
This looms as one of the more open races on William Reid Stakes Night and a horse like Milliondollarbill has claims on winning at a lovely price ($7 at publish).
Milliondollarbill has continued to improve with racing since resuming this time, culminating in two wins from his last three starts.
He gets into this race well under the conditions and can fight out the finish.
Chica Fuerte has opened a clear favourite in Alexandra Stakes betting, and justifiably so.
The Hinchinbrook filly has been a strong and consistent performer since making her debut for Anthony & Sam Freedman, and she has stripped fitter for two back this time, including an agonizingly close second behind Starelle in the Kewney Stakes last time.
She is yet to contest a race at The Valley, but this looks the perfect one for her.
Sisstar hasn’t been seen at the races since November but she takes a class edge into the 55 Second Challenge Final, and she can make a winning return.
The Zoustar mare doesn’t quite have the class of her full sister Sunlight, but she has enjoyed a competitive career of her own, and she is a black type winner.
She’ll get some relief in the weights under Matthew Cartwright and she has options from the rails draw.
She hasn’t won fresh previously, but she also hasn’t missed a place in four starts at The Valley and I think that Oceanex can run a bold race in the Sunline Stakes.
The Ocean Park mare was outstanding during her autumn prep last year and while she didn’t match those peaks in spring, she went to the paddock after finishing a credible eleventh in the Melbourne Cup.
She returned a lovely trial in the lead up to her return and at around the $8 mark, we can have an each-way play.
It’s always a quality contest, but this shapes as the strongest edition of the William Reid Stakes in recent memory.
I’ve put Swats That on top, but you can find a full race preview and my complete 2021 William Reid Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Marabi is a dual acceptor and has opened a clear odds-on favourite in betting for this race, and another on Neds Mornington Cup Day.
I actually think that she will step out on Saturday and with that in mind, I’m going to have something on Passionate Lass.
Passionate Lass hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but she recorded two wins from as many starts during her debut prep and looks well placed in this race under Craig Williams.